Newton's kicking is an output from where the real problem is. And despite what supporters require I think the Footy Dept know are in no doubt where he is at.

Is it true that he's contracted next year?

How could you not support Bailey with the list that we have had..he is going places and WILL deliver premiership number 13.

Love the enthusiasm!

What tangibles can he possibly deliver between now and round 22?

I had 2010 in mind.

And make no mistake he has to deliver 2 high picks this year. The competition is going to get a lot harder, with funds sucking the cash out of the AFL for WS and GC, Collingwood lurching and all the interstate teams down, there'll be no money to bail us out, it doesn't matter how young our list is. We will be in the firing line. Many supporters are buoyed by the increased effort, smaller losing margins, youth, emerging plan, backline reconstruction, major sponsor signings, stable administration, really, there's a bloody lot to like. I'm obviously one of these supporters. But we have to win premierships and Dean Bailey won't get a tick from me until he navigates the (admittedly very tricky) next 6 months. He has to get 1 & 2 whilst getting improvement from the list and looking better on field. It's Bailey's Paradox. I must say, so far he is doing this exceptionally well and there is zero reason to doubt him. Interesting times ahead.

Average losing margin up to round 7 last year = 60 points

Average losing margin up to round 7 this year = 22 points

How could you not support Bailey with the list that we have had..he is going places and WILL deliver premiership number 13.

That number is from the past 3 games not the entire year.

The actual figure is just above 35 points.

That number is from the past 3 games not the entire year.

The actual figure is just above 35 points.

Even so that is still a big improvement from where we were middle of last year.

I think Richmond are better than what we all think. 5-6 games i think they will win.

last year we are the joke of the AFL with our midfield is goal this year it looks as if its the midfield and backs.

so buy this next year will be our forwards let just say Dean keeps his card close to his chest.

we will not kick to many wins this year why picks and development .

as you are saying our forwards not getting the time they need.

Average losing margin up to round 7 last year = 60 points

Average losing margin up to round 7 this year = 22 points

How could you not support Bailey with the list that we have had..he is going places and WILL deliver premiership number 13.

Courtesy of saj_21 on BigFooty:

Just some stats to back up our improvement this season (to round 7);

2009

Quarters Won vs. Lost

11 vs 16 (note 1 drawn quarter)

Avg losgin Margin

33.3 points

2008

Quarters Won vs. Lost

5 vs 23

Avg. losing Maring

60.33

We managed to win twice as many quarters and almost halve our avg losing margin, supports my theory were are more compettitive early in the game and stay compettitive for longer.

Courtesy of saj_21 on BigFooty:

Just some stats to back up our improvement this season (to round 7);

2009

Quarters Won vs. Lost

11 vs 16 (note 1 drawn quarter)

Avg losgin Margin

33.3 points

2008

Quarters Won vs. Lost

5 vs 23

Avg. losing Maring

60.33

We managed to win twice as many quarters and almost halve our avg losing margin, supports my theory were are more compettitive early in the game and stay compettitive for longer.

Thanks for the updated info. I stand corrected.

I heard an interview with Moloney on SEN and KB made the point that once a young developing team starts losing by less and less, the pain from losing gets more intense. Moloney agreed and stated that he enjoyed Bailey's coaching methods. Every time i watch a game this year i see more improvement in different areas, i'm very comfortable with Bailey at the helm.

once again l have walked away VERY VERY happy

I have started to believe we made the right choice in picking Dean Bailey as coach. He constantly demands effort from his players, and he develops players and he develops them pretty quickly. He handles the media well. And his game plan is starting to come together. The next step is to turn respectable losses into wins.

Does anyone else believe?

I agree we are more competitive this year and I think DB is doing an OK job at the moment. The jury is still out though given his appalling win/loss record. I understand where we are at the moment as a club but I don't think we can pump his tyres up just yet. What happens if we finish bottom next year? I doubt DB would get his contract extended?

It concerns me that we don't get the ball into our forward line enough and we have avoided a number of real beltings simply because the opposition kicked poorly. Eg. R3 v Port (37 scoring shots to 20), R6 v Geelong (18 scoring shots to 36) and R7 WCE (30 to 17).

All those points kicked against us tells me more about our backline and defensive pressure and successful coaching rather than poor football by the opposition.

Is it true that he's contracted next year?

That it is. We signed him up again last year. At the time it made slight sense (even though it bewildered me slightly), as we didn't have a prospective key forward and now we do. But he'll get delisted at the end of next year. By that stage there'll be no place for him in the squad. There probably isn't now either. I'm thinking someone like Butcher will come in and steal that other key forward position from him (rightfully so, he's had his chance).

I have started to believe we made the right choice in picking Dean Bailey as coach. He constantly demands effort from his players, and he develops players and he develops them pretty quickly. He handles the media well. And his game plan is starting to come together. The next step is to turn respectable losses into wins.

Does anyone else believe?

I agree. Have you heard what he's been doing with the media? Apparently, he gives away a prize at his weekly press conferences- usually something provided by our sponsors. Is that usual? It's almost as if he's trying to get them on his side and then in another way, it seems entirely professional.

All those points kicked against us tells me more about our backline and defensive pressure and successful coaching rather than poor football by the opposition.

Yeah. It doesn't happen week after week by coincidence.